7 Simple Yoga Stretches to Soothe Sciatica Back Pain

Sciatica is the radiating pain we feel in our lower back, and leg(s), caused by a pinched nerve in this part of the back. It usually affects only one side of the body.

The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back, to the buttocks and down the back of one or both legs. It’s the largest and longest nerve in our body.

It is formed by many nerve roots, or fibers, coming from the spine canal, which then thread to form the sciatic nerve, which is as thick as a man’s thumb at its largest point.

The nerve runs below the piriformis muscle located in the buttocks, and then travels down the back of the leg. It divides into two nerves above the back of the knee, which serve the lower leg and foot.

Sciatica Symptoms

Pain in the lower back, buttock, and back of one or both legs

Paresthesia- sensation of pinching, burning and tingling, more known as ‘pins and needles’

Numbness in the leg(s) and/or feet

Weakness that can make your knees bend when standing up from a sitting position

Weakened reflexes in your knee and Achilles tendon

Inability to flex your ankles enough to walk on your heels, a condition called ‘Foot drop’

Common Causes

Degenerative disc disease. A weakened disc can cause immoderate micro motion at that level of the spine, exposing inflammatory proteins from the disc, resulting in irritation of that area.